Appointments Officer - Medical Imaging

Job description

Job summary

We are looking for a enthusiastic and self motivated team player to join our Appointments Team at Mid Cheshire Hospitals.

Based within the Medical Imaging Appointments Office, the successful applicant will play a pivotal role in ensuring excellence in the timely delivery of Radiology examinations to our patients.

This is a full time post, working hours will be Monday to Friday with occasional Saturday working required.

Main duties of the job

To co-ordinate the booking of appointments for all radiological procedures.

To provide an efficient, friendly and caring booking, advice and information service to patients.

To liaise with patients, clinical staff and medical staff both within and outside the Trust to ensure patients are examined within the nationally agreed waiting time targets.

To maintain appointment list templates.

To prioritise, self-supervise own workload and act independently.

About us

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond.

The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.

We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health.

The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its 'Be Safe Be EquiPPEd' campaign, which aimed to make the Trust as safe as possible for staff and patients, through supporting the correct use of PPE.

The results in the 2020 national NHS Staff Survey showed improvements in all elements of the safety culture theme, with 92% of respondents feeling their role made a difference to our patients. We were also recognised nationally for our workforce health and wellbeing initiatives.

At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Information

Manage the Trust's radiology booking system by processing all appointment requests efficiently, accurately, and in line with official healthcare guidelines.

Where appropriate, to ensure requests are verified by Radiology Consultants or Radiographers prior to appointing and providing necessary information to facilitate this process.

Act as necessary to ensure patient DNAs are recorded and dealt with in line with department protocols.

Communication

Serve as the primary point of contact for the radiology department, managing inbound calls from patients, families, and healthcare professionals with empathy and professionalism.

Treat every patient, colleague, and visitor with dignity and respect. Always remain courteous and helpful, particularly when assisting those experiencing distress or challenging situations.

Handle enquiries and offer non-clinical support to patients, families, and staff. Use persuasive and clear communication to resolve problems and overcome barriers to understanding.

To use confident interpersonal skills enabling effective communication with GPs, consultants and patients in a professional and courteous manner.

Explaining Complex Pre-Scan Instructions: Conveying crucial, non-clinical preparation steps clearly (such as fasting rules, dye preparation, or clothing requirements) so patients do not face cancellations.

Planning & organisational skills

Manage staff calendars and update booking templates daily, weekly, and monthly to adjust appointment slots based on staff availability and room capacity.

Monitor and maximise appointment slots daily to ensure radiology department resources are used efficiently.

Balancing Urgent vs. Routine Demand: Reserving dedicated slots for high-priority or emergency requests without disrupting pre-scheduled routine appointments.

Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with a proven ability to manage complex booking diaries, balance competing priorities, and maintain accurate scheduling records under pressure.

To Self-supervise a demanding workload, independently prioritising daily referral backlogs, phone enquiries, and multi-disciplinary team requests without sacrificing accuracy.

Additional Duties

To manage daily workload independently while strictly adhering to Trust and Department guidelines.

Maintains compliance by independently tracking and completing all non-clinical mandatory training (e.g., safe moving and handling, fire safety).

Pursues continuous professional development by attending relevant training programmes to stay current in the role.

To undertake all administrative procedures pertaining to role which may on occasion included image transfers, secretarial work or reception duties.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Information

Manage the Trust's radiology booking system by processing all appointment requests efficiently, accurately, and in line with official healthcare guidelines.

Where appropriate, to ensure requests are verified by Radiology Consultants or Radiographers prior to appointing and providing necessary information to facilitate this process.

Act as necessary to ensure patient DNAs are recorded and dealt with in line with department protocols.

Communication

Serve as the primary point of contact for the radiology department, managing inbound calls from patients, families, and healthcare professionals with empathy and professionalism.

Treat every patient, colleague, and visitor with dignity and respect. Always remain courteous and helpful, particularly when assisting those experiencing distress or challenging situations.

Handle enquiries and offer non-clinical support to patients, families, and staff. Use persuasive and clear communication to resolve problems and overcome barriers to understanding.

To use confident interpersonal skills enabling effective communication with GPs, consultants and patients in a professional and courteous manner.

Explaining Complex Pre-Scan Instructions: Conveying crucial, non-clinical preparation steps clearly (such as fasting rules, dye preparation, or clothing requirements) so patients do not face cancellations.

Planning & organisational skills

Manage staff calendars and update booking templates daily, weekly, and monthly to adjust appointment slots based on staff availability and room capacity.

Monitor and maximise appointment slots daily to ensure radiology department resources are used efficiently.

Balancing Urgent vs. Routine Demand: Reserving dedicated slots for high-priority or emergency requests without disrupting pre-scheduled routine appointments.

Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with a proven ability to manage complex booking diaries, balance competing priorities, and maintain accurate scheduling records under pressure.

To Self-supervise a demanding workload, independently prioritising daily referral backlogs, phone enquiries, and multi-disciplinary team requests without sacrificing accuracy.

Additional Duties

To manage daily workload independently while strictly adhering to Trust and Department guidelines.

Maintains compliance by independently tracking and completing all non-clinical mandatory training (e.g., safe moving and handling, fire safety).

Pursues continuous professional development by attending relevant training programmes to stay current in the role.

To undertake all administrative procedures pertaining to role which may on occasion included image transfers, secretarial work or reception duties.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous Clerical &/or Customer Care experience.
• Previous telephony/call centre experience

Desirable

• Knowledge of Medical Terminology

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE Maths & English Qualification
• Demonstrable working experience (equivalent to NVQIII or above)
• Demonstrable MS Office Skills

Desirable

• Demonstrable working knowledge of MS Teams
• Experience of using a CRIS System

Physical Demands

Essential

• Experience of working in a pressurised & reactive environment
• Ability to empathise with people, showing understanding for patients and relatives needs

Skills, Knowledge & Competencies

Essential

• General communication & interpersonal skills
• Communicate and interact with a multidisciplinary team
• Problem solve and adapt to change
• Work independently and prioritise own workload
• Methodical / logical thinker
• Excellent telephone manner

Desirable

• Working knowledge of Data Protection Act
• General knowledge of Freedom of Information Act

Other

Essential

• Ability to work flexibly
• Good health and attendance record

Person Specification
Experience

Essential

• Previous Clerical &/or Customer Care experience.
• Previous telephony/call centre experience

Desirable

• Knowledge of Medical Terminology

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE Maths & English Qualification
• Demonstrable working experience (equivalent to NVQIII or above)
• Demonstrable MS Office Skills

Desirable

• Demonstrable working knowledge of MS Teams
• Experience of using a CRIS System

Physical Demands

Essential

• Experience of working in a pressurised & reactive environment
• Ability to empathise with people, showing understanding for patients and relatives needs

Skills, Knowledge & Competencies

Essential

• General communication & interpersonal skills
• Communicate and interact with a multidisciplinary team
• Problem solve and adapt to change
• Work independently and prioritise own workload
• Methodical / logical thinker
• Excellent telephone manner

Desirable

• Working knowledge of Data Protection Act
• General knowledge of Freedom of Information Act

Other

Essential

• Ability to work flexibly
• Good health and attendance record

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .

Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .

Employer details

Employer name

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address

Leighton Hospital

Middlewich Street

CREWE

CW1 4QJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website